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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Is Coumadin Safe To Be Taken For Blood Clots In The Lungs?

I m currently in the hospital for blood clots. Got admitted yesterday. They told me that I have multiple clots in both lungs. This is my second time having these clots. I had them previously in 2010. Just trying to get 2nd opinions on treatment options and the best medications. Doctors unsure about the true causes. I was in the military in 2010 and had a 15 hour plane ride from Kuwait and I was on birth control for many years(since 1993). The doctors say that could have been the causes. I went from May to August 2010 thinking I had asthma. That was what the military doctors told me. This time, during Thanksgiving holidays, I rode to Texas by car from Atlanta which was about 10-11 hrs. I am 48 yrs old. The Drs are wanting to put in a filter this time but I ve not heard good news about those IVC filters and I ve also saw the law suit commercials on them recently. They say that now I will have to take Blood thinning medication for the rest of my life. They also tell me that there are better and newer meds than Coumadin available now? Does this mean that I have a respiratory condition or disease or what? Pulmonary Hypertension? Does this mean that I will have to be on a special diet while taking these meds? How will this affect my future? If traveling over ? hours or my mode of travel is an issue now, what are your recommendations? Are my lungs scarred/or damaged from having these clots? Any other recommendations, tips, instructions to handing this condition. What type of recovery plan do you recommend once I get discharged?
posted on Mon, 26 Dec 2016
Twitter Wed, 6 Sep 2017 Answered on
Twitter Wed, 6 Sep 2017 Last reviewed on
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Pulmonologist,  's  Response
Thanks for your question on Healthcare Magic.
I can understand your concern.
You are having pulmonary embolism (PE)
(blood clots in lung).
In your case birth control pills and air travel are the likely cause for PE.
Treatment of PE depends on size, site and number of clots and severity of pulmonary hypertension (PH).
Since you are having multiple clots, blood thinners are the only option.
Also get done 2d echo to know the severity of PH.
Newer bloody thinners are available and should be started in your case.
Warfarin, fenofibrate are commonly used now a days. You can should avoid broccoli and green leafy vegetables when you are on blood thinners. Salt restriction is must.
Treatment duration is minimum 9-12 months. Further treatment depends on follow up CT scan.
So stay in touch with your pulmonologist for good prognosis.
Hope I have solved your query. I will be happy to help you further. Wish you good health. Thanks.
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Is Coumadin Safe To Be Taken For Blood Clots In The Lungs?

Thanks for your question on Healthcare Magic. I can understand your concern. You are having pulmonary embolism (PE) (blood clots in lung). In your case birth control pills and air travel are the likely cause for PE. Treatment of PE depends on size, site and number of clots and severity of pulmonary hypertension (PH). Since you are having multiple clots, blood thinners are the only option. Also get done 2d echo to know the severity of PH. Newer bloody thinners are available and should be started in your case. Warfarin, fenofibrate are commonly used now a days. You can should avoid broccoli and green leafy vegetables when you are on blood thinners. Salt restriction is must. Treatment duration is minimum 9-12 months. Further treatment depends on follow up CT scan. So stay in touch with your pulmonologist for good prognosis. Hope I have solved your query. I will be happy to help you further. Wish you good health. Thanks.